Rachel Mercik

CHICAGO (July 14, 2014) – U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team head coach Steve Swanson has named a 24-player roster for the third training camp of the year for this age group as the squad will come together in Seattle for an event running from July 15-22.

The entire roster is made up entirely of current collegiate players or players who played their senior seasons last fall. The roster includes four players from defending NCAA champions UCLA, including Samantha Mewis, who made her full WNT debut at the Algarve Cup last March. Midfielder Sarah Killion and forward Katie Stengel (who has completed her college eligibility and will play in Germany with Bayern Munich this coming season) have also trained with the senior side this year.

Also on the roster is 2013 MAC Hermann Trophy finalist Abby Dahlkemper of UCLA who finished behind winner Morgan Brian and defender Crystal Dunn, who are both now regulars on U.S. WNT head coach Jill Ellis’ squad.

Brian, who has seen the majority of her National Team action this year with the senior side, was also named to the U-23 roster. She is up to 11 caps with U.S. head coach Jill Ellis’ squad while scoring two goals. Brian has started all eight games she has played for the full U.S. Women’s National Team this year.

Oregon defender Bri Pugh is the older sister of U-20 WNT midfielder Mallory Pugh who is with the U-20s training in Seattle in an event that will run concurrently with the U-23 camp.